MD HB165

Beginning in calendar year 2027, sheriffs in 16 Maryland counties will receive salaries equal to their respective county's State's Attorney salary, replacing current formulas that set sheriff pay at 80-90% of State's Attorney salaries or tied to State Police lieutenant colonel pay scales

Affected counties include Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Kent, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester

Per Article III, § 35 of the Maryland Constitution, the salary changes cannot apply to sheriffs currently serving terms that began before the Act's effective date, but will take effect at the start of their next term

Individuals appointed or elected after the effective date to fill unexpired terms are not subject to the delayed implementation limitation

Effective date: October 1, 2026